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Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON – Canada’s premiers must seize the opportunity to push for improvements to pensions, health care and the economy at the annual Council of the Federation meeting, says Paul Moist, national president of CUPE.

The timing of this meeting is critical. It is the last premiers meeting before the expiration of the Health Accord that sets the terms for health care funding and priorities between the federal and provincial governments.

“Provincial and territorial governments need stable and adequate funding from the federal government to ensure that all Canadians receive the same high-quality, publically delivered health care in every community across the country,” said Moist. “The federal government must stop neglecting its responsibility to protect our public health care system, and come to the table with provinces and territories to negotiate a new 10-year Health Accord with stable and adequate funding, including at minimum, the six per cent escalator.”

CUPE is joining with allies to urge the premiers to tackle critical issues facing Canada, including the pressing need for the federal government to take action on health care and retirement security. CUPE, other unions and civil society groups will also be discussing these issues at a Shadow Summit, with several presenters from CUPE. The final plenary session is being co-chaired by Moist on July 25, at 9:00am, at St. Mark’s Anglican Church, 41 Byron Street, Niagara-on-the-Lake. This will be followed by a rally coinciding with the Council of the Federation meeting on July 25 at 11:00am.

Moist will be available to the media for comment and analysis as the premiers discuss the economy and issues impacting workers through July 24-26 in Niagara-on-the-Lake.

To arrange an interview or for more information:

Tria DonaldsonCUPE Communications
Canadian Union of Public Employees
613-915-0763, tdonaldson@cupe.ca